The Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN) will hold its 20th IT Professionals' Assembly and Annual General Meeting on 13th to 14th May in Abuja. The event, themed "Digital Resilience and Inclusion for Smart Economy," will bring together senior IT decision makers, consultants, entrepreneurs, start-ups, teachers, and system administrators from across Nigeria. CPN President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Essien Eyo, described the assembly as the flagship of all IT programmes in the country, offering a platform for industry leaders to network and showcase innovations. He said the gathering will focus on emerging digital risks, resilience strategies, inclusive digital policies, and capacity building.
Dr. Eyo stated that the theme aligns with Nigeria's Digital Economy Agenda and reflects the urgency of strengthening the nation's digital foundations while ensuring equitable access. Resilience, he noted, is vital amid rapid technological change and rising cybersecurity threats. "Resilience ensures that digital infrastructure, policies, and institutions can withstand shocks and sustain growth," he said. He emphasized that no segment of society—regardless of geography, gender, age, or socioeconomic status—should be excluded from digital opportunities.
The keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, whom Eyo described as offering a timely and strategic perspective on national competitiveness in the digital age. A major highlight of the event will be the induction of new members into the IT profession, reinforcing CPN's mandate to expand the pool of certified professionals. Eyo reminded the public that CPN was established under Act No. 49 of 1993 to regulate and supervise the computing profession in Nigeria. "It is illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without registration and possession of a current valid license," he stated. He described the 2026 assembly as a strategic platform for shaping Nigeria's digital future.
Dr. Essien Eyo champions inclusion in digital access while enforcing a licensing rule that legally bars unregistered practitioners from the profession. The same regulation that certifies professionals also excludes many who work in computing without formal registration. This creates a contradiction between broad inclusion goals and a rigid gatekeeping system. Many Nigerian IT workers may be contributing to the smart economy yet remain illegal under CPN's own framework.
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